This is a part of a post on the SRSsoft website. I am a fan of SRSsoft because I think they have it right when they focus on “provider productivity” as a key component of any “good” EMR. See the link below to see the whole blog post, but basically, they went to Washington to advocate for EMRs which improve productivity and enhance the physician-patient relationship.

The signers of this petition are not all SRS clients. Other providers reached out to us and asked that we stand up for them as well. SRS users or not, they are passionate about EHRs, and they speak from positive and negative experience with a variety of EHR products. Three fundamental themes dominated:

*Physicians will not adopt technology that compromises their productivity,
*They will not become data entry clerks, and
*They will not jeopardize the physician-patient relationship.
*No financial incentives or penalties will persuade these physicians to take actions they deem detrimental, or not valuable, to their practices.

Bottom line is that most physicians (if they are smart) will not be induced by incentive or penalties to take on an EMR unless the EMR makes them more productive! I agree with this. Washington needs to make the definition of “meaningful use” and “certified” flexible enough to encompass EMRs that are innovative and enhance our ability to be great doctors and provide excellent care.